Last Trip with my Best Friend (summer 07)

[tinkslite]

Wendy was my best friend. We were moms to 7 kids who had a lot in common. Our sons found each other in the first grade. My little guy was very very ill at the time. When the other first graders would run outside to play on the playground at recess, my son would attach himself to a nebulizer to take the breathing treatments he needed to make it through the day. Many of the other students avoided him because the noisy machine with its tubes and steam scared them.
But not Wendy's little Hunter! Hunter started to stay inside to keep my Nicholas company during recess. They would play board games and sing Puff the Magic Dragon, telling any little girls that dared to come inside the classroom that Nicholas' machine was giving him "Dragon Breath" and the girls would squeal and run outside.
I soon learned that the reason Hunter was so comfortable with his sick friend (my son) was that his own Mommy was very ill. Wendy was in kidney failure and on dialysis. If she did not receive a matched kidney soon, she would likely die.
She got her miracle that year. An anonymous donor was a match, and the procedure saved this wonderful lady.
She went on to finish college and get her long wished for teaching credential. In 2007 she finished her student teaching and was offered a job for the coming fall at the elementary school where our boys met! Two blocks from her home. We decided to take our girls (also best friends, by now) to Disneyland to celebrate Wendy's new teaching job and my little girls 12th birthday. It was just Mom's and daughters that June!!
THe cast:
Wendy
Me!!
Jessica my DD
and April wendy's DD
and one day my sil who lives and teaches hs in so. cal. and came for our "girlie trip".
Later: Day one we surprise Jess when Wendy and April meet us at the Disneyland hotel!!

 

[tinkslite]

My daughter, Jess, who is developmentally delayed (think 8 or 9 years old, rather than 12) knew that we were spending her birthday at Disneyland; I had gotten myself an Annual Pass during 2007, for the purpose of taking each of my children to the Park for his/her birthday that year. She did NOT know that Wendy and her daughter (also 12, but not delayed) would b joining us.

When we arrived at John Wayne airport (I refuse to fly into LAX, it completely freaks me out), we took the Disneyland Express transport to the resort. I stepped up to the desk and got us checked in (yeah, the annual pass discount on the hotel was nice, and we split that cost in 1/2 with Wendy and April-nice). Jessica sat down to watch a few cartoons and a cast member made her a little birthday pin (button style, had her name on it, and her age 12). She also gave her a signed birthday card from Mickey!! Very sweet.

That's when April and her Mom came around the corner and Jess and April started squealing and hugging. Wendy and I laughed and laughed! Then Goofy came around the corner too! He wasn't sure what all the excitement was about, but decided to come over and join the jumping up and down and dancing about. It was really cute.

When the girls settled down we parked our bags at Bell Services as our room would not be available for a few hours yet. Then we took the monorail into the park.

The girls thought about riding the (new) Nemo ride, but the line was hours long, and Wendy and I could not stand the thought of starting off with a line like that. So, we headed over to Space Mtn, and Star Tours. This was fine with April and Wendy. They had only been to the park one time, and the day had not gone well as it had been terribly crowded and Wendy's DH had not handled the situation gracefully, lol.

So, essentially Jess and I got to introduce Wendy and April to our beloved "home park." Being California Girls, initially, Jessi and I consider Disneyland "home."

Jessica really wanted to take April to the Jungle Cruise and Tarzan's Treehouse, so we headed to Adventureland, next. Along the way, we met Mary Poppins and Burt on Main Street USA. The girls "supercallifragilisticexpialidosioused" with them for a minute or two and walked away laughing uproarously. Wendy and I shaking our heads at our silly girls.

While we were in line for the Jungle Cruise, Wendy and I caught up a bit. She told me about her graduation ceremony with the other student teachers (all much younger than US of course). She told me about getting the call (only a few days before) with the job offer for the coming Fall. She told me about being excited that it was first grade, as she had hoped for the first grade. She talked about how grateful she was to have the extra past 3 years with her children. That her life was a gift, truly, and she was grateful every day to be living it. We often spoke of that blessing. The blessing of her life, and my sons.

Later that day, we took the girls to Toontown. April really enjoyed Mickey's and Minnie's homes and meeting the characters.

That evening we took the girls swimming at the Neverland Pool, then put them to bed under the glow of Tinkerbell's pixie dust at the ceiling of our room in the Sierra Tower. Each of us slept with her own daughter. We set a wake up call for Mickey to wake the girls in the morning.

Next Time: Aunt Kathleen and Makeovers!!!

 

[tinkslite]

The next day we got up and had muffins and milk at the little coffee shop next door to Goofy's Kitchen (not sure what the name is). Then we wandered slowly through Downtown Disney to the Main Gate of Disneyland. We were there to see the park open for the day and the ropes at the end of Main Street drop. Then on to Fantasyland! We rode Peter Pan, and all the dark rides. Wendy was crying after the Peter Pan ride.

I mentioned that I needed to get something on Main Street and we started toward City Hall. Jessica didn't know it but my sister in law, Kathleen, was to meet us in front of City Hall! When Jessica saw her she squealed and ran to her auntie for a big bear hug.
I then announced that the girls would be getting Makeovers at Libby Lu!!! They were so excited. Kathleen had her digital camera and took pics of the whole proceedings.
After the makeovers we made our way to Tom Sawyer's Pirate Island (just newly opened at that time). The girls had a great time checking out the dark tunnels and met a few live pirates along the way. Kathleen and I found a treasure chest and posed for a few comical photos of us fighting over the treasure!!! Wendy, Kathleen and I got to see the last 1/2 of a show that featured Jack Sparrow stealing a treasure map. Not sure if they are still performing this but Jack actually slid down a rope to enter staging area. Pretty cool.

Kathleen explained to Jess that she could actually only stay for a little longer, as she had to get back to San Diego due to some work issues. Jess understood and thanked her Aunt for joining us on her birthday.

That evening we went to Goofy's Kitchen where the girls had fun dancing and clowning around with Goofy and several other characters.

Afterword, we returned to the park and saw the second showing of FANTASMIC! Wendy and April were completely bowled over and Wendy and I agreed that we'd bring the boys (Nicholas and Hunter) for a Mommy trip just like this one in a couple of years.

We parted company at this point. Wendy and April wanted to stay in the park for the last hour, but my Jess was falling asleep standing up. So, I took her back to the room and put her to bed.

 

[Ferry Joy]

Thank you for such a lovely start to a trip report. I like that you got right to it. I am enjoying it a lot.

 

[Laneychris]

Great report!

 

[tinkslite]

Sorry I've been away so long BUT I was actually on a Disney Cruise on the Magic with my family! Then we got home and we were sick! So that's why.....
Anyway, the following day we went to Calif. Adventure. We rode Soarin' and took the girls to talk to Crush (He sang Happy Hatch Day to Jessi). We went to Ariel's and had lunch w/the Princesses. We played until 2, when we had to say good bye and head to different planes etc.
I congratulated Wendy again on the new job, and told her we'd write soon-as we had moved a few months before and now were in different states. She and I both agreed we were happy to have become close, even if the circumstances which brought us together (grave illnesses) had been negative. She told me she felt all the time with her children since the transplant had been a gift.

We spoke a few times, on and off, after that. Through the Summer and as she began her new job. I was still getting settled into our new home and life got in the way. But we talked about how much she liked teaching. Her little ones. How nice it was to walk to work. etc. etc. Halloween time saw the special bags that Wendy always created for my kids (she made special efforts every year to find treats Nicholas was allowed to eat).
Shortly after that, my dear friend was returning home from an evening Wal Mart grocery run when she was caught in traffic and struck from behind by a semi truck. The driver was "distracted." She left behind an adoring husband and 4 gorgeous children from 16 to 8 years old. One of her kids is my daughters best friend (April). One of her kids is my sons best friend (Hunter). And my best friend is gone.

I am thankful to her kidney donor for the 3 years he gave to her family and friends. I am thankful for the photo I have of the 4 of us girls standing in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle and laughing.
I miss you Wendy.
And just so you know, Next year I am taking the boys to Disneyland!

 

[davidsprincess]

As I sit here crying, I want to thank you for this beautiful TR. You have such wonderful memories to treasure and share with her children. What a wonderful friend you are to hold to that promise and take the boys to DLR. Wendy will be there with you in your heart's. Enjoy your trip and memories that you will make.

 

[Sleepless Knight]

Life is truly a gift. Thank you for sharing such treasured memories with us. And yes, Wendy will be with you on your next visit.

 

[Ferry Joy]

Thank you for the bittersweet story of your trip to Disneyland. My sister has just had a liver transplant and I can't wait to see how her life will change for the better.

 

[tinkslite]

For those who shared their loving thoughts after my trip report:
Wendy was an amazing woman. Her family were joined by over 200 family members, friends, coworkers, peers, students and friends at her Memorial last November. The family has a strong faith, and believe they will be with their mother again, someday.
I thank you all for your kind words.